A diaconal candidate is a man discerning his vocation to the diaconate who has completed the Inquirer and Aspirancy phases of diaconal formation as well as the interview and psychological testing requirements and has been invited by the Bishop into the Diaconal Formation Program.

As the name implies, this is a period of formation of the whole person – Human Dimension, Spiritual Dimension, Intellectual Dimension, and Pastoral Dimension. This is accomplished through a three-year series of formation weekends conducted in communion with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at the Athenaeum of Ohio. These formation weekends occur routinely every other weekend of the months from September to May.

After three, months in the formation program, the men in formation are invited by the Bishop toCandidacy. At the end of the first year in formation, the candidates are Installed to the Ministry of Lector. At the end of the second year in formation, the candidates are Installed to the Ministry of Acolyte. At the end of the third year, successful candidates are ordained by the Bishop to the Order of Deacon.